Strasbourg, (Unib Rashid) — The European Parliament has awarded its 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to two imprisoned journalists, Andrzej Poczobut of Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli of Georgia, in recognition of their courage and commitment to press freedom.

The award was presented on Tuesday during a ceremony at the European Parliament in Strasbourg by Parliament President Roberta Metsola, who handed the prize to representatives of the two journalists, both currently detained in their home countries.

Addressing the ceremony, Metsola said:
“I am proud to award this year’s Sakharov Prize to journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli in recognition of their bravery. The European Parliament stands in full solidarity with Mzia and Andrzej and calls for their immediate release, because speaking truth to power should never be a crime.”

Andrzej Poczobut, a Belarusian journalist, writer, blogger and member of the Polish minority in Belarus, has been imprisoned by Belarusian authorities. He was represented at the ceremony by his daughter, Jana Poczobut, who thanked Members of the European Parliament for keeping political prisoners and their families in public view.

“Standing here today and accepting this award on behalf of my father is a great honour,” she said. “I want to thank the European Parliament for remembering not only him, but all the families who live with unanswered questions.”

Referring to the case of prominent Belarusian opposition figure Mikalai Statkevich, who disappeared in September 2025, she added:
“When we say their names out loud, they stop being statistics. They become real again. That is why your attention matters so much — because it protects human dignity.”

The second laureate, Mzia Amaglobeli, is a Georgian journalist, co-founder and director of independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. She was represented by fellow journalist Irma Dimitradze, who read a message from Amaglobeli to the Parliament.

“I accept this award on behalf of my colleagues — the journalists who are fighting to save journalism in Georgia today,” the message said. “They work tirelessly to ensure that the voice of Georgian citizens’ resistance is heard and that the truth is not silenced.”

In her statement, Amaglobeli strongly criticised the Georgian authorities, writing:
“This government is ruthless. It is destroying independent journalism, imprisoning political opponents, and effectively dismantling civil society by labelling NGO workers as ‘foreign agents’. Yet it has failed to silence public protest.”

She concluded by expressing gratitude for growing European support, saying that statements by the European Union in support of the Georgian people have become “stronger and more accurate than ever,” for which she said she was “deeply thankful.”